Method and mobile user equipment for handling media types of a communication session in an IMS communication system and an IMS node

ABSTRACT

A method of and mobile User Equipment, UE, for handling media types of an Internet Protocol, IP, multimedia communication session in an IP Multimedia communication Subsystem, IMS, wherein at the receipt of a session set up request message a mobile UE presents media type handling options based on the session set up request message. After receiving media type handling instructions by the mobile UE, based on the presented media type handling options, a session accept message is transmitted by the mobile UE in accordance with the media type handling instructions. Based on the media type handling instructions, media type may be routed by the IMS to terminal equipment remote from the mobile UE.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to call handling in mobile communicationsand, more particularly, to the handling of media types of acommunication session in an Internet Protocol (IP) Multimedia Subsystem(IMS), for supporting multi media communication with mobile UserEquipment, UE, as well as to an IMS node for supporting the handling ofmedia types.

BACKGROUND

IMS is a communications platform for supporting rich multimediacommunications with a mobile UE operating in a radio access network,such as GSM (Global System for Mobile communications), GPRS (GeneralPacket Radio Service), or UMTS (Universal Mobile TelecommunicationsSystem), for the handling of media types such as video, includingstreaming video, images, audio, voice and data sharing. IMS appliesapplications that are based on SIP (Session Initiation Protocol)signalling enabling multimedia sessions.

In private (home, office) and public (on the street, public offices,shops) environments, terminal equipment, such as (large) displays orscreens are available, connected to an IP communication infrastructure,such as a wired or high speed wireless data network, which terminalequipment can be (temporary) seized by the mobile UE to handle mediatypes of a multimedia communication session of an IMS client of themobile UE as to display video content of such a communication session,for example. Other media types, such as audio, may also be directed orrouted to suitable terminal equipment, such as loudspeakers belonging toa display or screen, for example.

When an IMS client is registered on a mobile UE, such as a mobiletelephone, arriving media, such as video, is presented on the display ofthe telephone. For some communications or applications the display ofthe mobile user equipment is too small.

Prior art suggests to receive, using GSM or UMTS, for example, the videocontent at the mobile user equipment, and to redirect this videocontent, using a short range wireless communication technology, such asBluetooth or Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), from the mobile UE to anearby display or remote terminal equipment suited for completelyviewing the video content, for example.

This may involve that the video content is processed by the mobile UEwithout actually being viewed at the mobile UE, while demanding arelatively high processing power of the processor of the mobile UE andconsuming scarce battery power of the mobile UE.

The short range wireless communication technology, from its limitedrange and transmission capacity, poses limitations on the geographicdistance between the mobile UE and the nearby display or remote terminalequipment, as well as on the quality of the video content to bedisplayed.

SUMMARY

It is an object of the present invention to provide an efficient methodof handling media types of an IMS communication session in mobile UE, aswell as a mobile UE and an IMS node equipped for supporting such method.

In a first aspect, the present invention provides a method of handlingmedia types of an IP multimedia communication session in an IMScommunication system, by a mobile UE comprising an IMS client supportingSIP signalling, the method comprising the steps of:

-   -   receiving a SIP session set up request message by the mobile UE,    -   processing the received SIP session set up request message by        the IMS client,    -   initiating, by the IMS client, a presentation of media type        handling options by the mobile UE based on the SIP session set        up request message,    -   receiving media type handling instructions by the mobile UE        based on the presented media type handling options, and    -   initiating, by the IMS client, a transmission of a SIP session        accept message by the mobile UE in accordance with the received        media type handling instructions.

In accordance with the invention, when an IMS client on a mobile UEprocesses a request for setting up a multimedia communication sessionwith a calling user or calling party, media type handling options orpossibilities are presented, for example displayed, by the receivingmobile UE to the user thereof, i.e. the called party.

Examples of such media type handling options in a multimediacommunication call comprising video and audio media type content are,for example:

-   -   1. Accept audio content, reject video content.    -   2. Accept audio and video content, use display of the mobile UE        although no optimal fit.    -   3. Accept audio and video content, use nearby screen to display        the video content.    -   4. Accept audio and video content, use display of the mobile UE        and use also nearby screen to display the video content.

Based on these options, for example, the called user can decide that theaudio content is to be terminated at the mobile UE (as usual) and thatthe video content is to be terminated at terminal equipment remote fromthe mobile UE, such as a nearby (public) display or screen, i.e. option3. The IMS client on the mobile UE processes the selected option, forexample inputted by the called user at a keypad of the mobile UE, asmedia type handling instructions, and initiates in response to the SIPsession set up request message, transmission of a SIP session acceptmessage reflecting the received media type handling instructions.

In the IMS communication system, i.e. a calling UE receiving the SIPsession accept message from the called mobile UE in a first multimediacommunication session with the called mobile UE, a second or even thirdor further multimedia communication session may be set up via the IMSwith remote terminal equipment for handling the media type content ofthe first multimedia communication session in accordance with the mediatype handling instructions forwarded by the mobile UE of the calleduser.

In accordance with options 3 and 4 above, video content belonging to thefirst communication session is directed or routed by the IMScommunication system to the nearby screen in a second multimediacommunication session with the screen. The second, third or furthercommunication sessions may be set up using standardised SIP signalling.

Different from the prior art disclosed above, the media type content tobe displayed and/or audibly presented by the remote terminal equipmentis directly forwarded from the IMS communication system, thereby notoccupying additional processing and battery power of and communicationresources to the called mobile UE. The remote terminal equipment maycommunicate with the IMS communication system by wired or high speedwireless data connections, like the Internet, such that datatransmission capacity should not be a problem. In particular not in thecase of streaming media types, for example streaming video, wherein aneven richer content display or presentation may be provided.

It will be appreciated that other or more options for handling mediatypes may be displayed by the mobile UE, or otherwise presented, forexample in audible form, for handling media types by other remoteterminal equipment in addition to or as an alternative for a display orscreen or loudspeaker on the mobile UE, such as a (public) display orscreen or (stereo) loudspeaker(s) or even to another mobile UE, having ascreen that is better adapted for viewing the video content, forexample.

Identification data of remote terminal equipment may comprise a URL oran IP-address of the terminal equipment, for example, as is well knownin practice. In an example of the invention, the IMS client on themobile UE may process identification data of remote terminal equipmentavailable to the mobile UE by inputting these data, by the called user,on input means of the mobile UE, such as a keypad, touch screen, or thelike. The identification data may be visually indicated on a display orscreen to be used, for example.

In another example of the invention, identification data of remoteterminal equipment may be received by the mobile UE and processed by itsIMS client, in the course of the communication session, fromidentification data stored in a database, such as a database availablein or to the IMS communication network, or from a database directlyavailable to the mobile UE, or identification data directly received bythe mobile UE from remote terminal equipment available to the mobile UE,using any communication technology available to the mobile UE. Theexpression ‘remote terminal equipment available to the mobile UE’ shouldbe construed in that the user of the mobile UE may have access to theremote terminal equipment, for viewing or listening purposes orotherwise.

In the case of a remote database available to the IMS communicationsystem, in another example of the invention, identification data ofremote terminal equipment may be processed by the IMS client on themobile UE received in an extended SIP session set up request message. Tothis end, the SIP set up request may be extended using the standardisedSession Description Protocol (SDP), which is used to negotiate the mediatype (e.g. voice, video) that is going to be used during a (SIP)session.

In a further example of the invention, identification data of remoteterminal equipment are processed by the IMS client on the mobile UEbased on a momentary geographic location of the mobile UE. That is, onlyidentification data are presented, e.g. displayed, by the mobile UE, ofremote terminal equipment which might be available to the mobile UE.

In the case of identification data of remote terminal equipment providedfrom a database, the momentary geographic location of the mobile UE isestablished using, for example, known techniques such as GSM location,GPS, local radio beacons, or others. By storing the identification dataof terminal equipment in the database in relation to their geographiclocation, the mobile UE may only receive identification data ofavailable remote terminal equipment, which makes the selection ofsuitable remote terminal equipment convenient to the user of mobile UEwhile avoiding exchange of excess information. Location data may bedetermined by the IMS communication system and/or the mobile UE itself,or even inputted by the called user from a displayed map or othercharacteristics, signs, and the like.

In a yet other example of the invention, identification data of remoteterminal equipment may be processed by the IMS client from data receivedat the mobile UE and autonomously transmitted, for example broadcasted,by the remote terminal equipment or upon request of the mobile UE. Suchidentification data may be exchanged using any of a wireless short rangecommunication technology, such as Bluetooth, WLAN, optical (IR)transmission and the like. The mobile UE has to be, of course, equippedfor such communications.

In the event of a plurality of remote terminal equipment available tothe mobile UE, the selection of suitable terminal equipment is under thecontrol of the called mobile UE, i.e. the called user. The media typehandling options presented by the mobile UE may reflect availableterminal equipment directly or in a second step, for example, when theuser of the mobile UE first has indicated what media type should bedirected to remote terminal equipment, for example. The skilled personwill appreciate that a variety of media type handling options may bepresented and in a variety of ways, which are construed to beencompassed by the present disclosure. In the event that just onealternative remote terminal equipment is available to a mobile UE, itwill be appreciated that the identification data of such terminalequipment may be directly included in the media type handling optionspresented.

A typical characteristic of mobile UE is that, in an ongoing multimediacommunication session, same may be moving. In accordance with an exampleof the invention, the IMS client processes updated identification dataof remote terminal equipment available to the mobile UE. The updatedidentification data may be received at the mobile UE directly, or viathe IMS system, or inputted by the called user, as elucidated above.Updated identification data may be processed by the IMS client in a SIPINFORMATION or UPDATE message, for example, populated with suitable SDPinformation.

It will be appreciated that ‘handover’ of media type to other terminalequipment, like the complete session, should be under control of thecalled user. That is, the user must be able to stop the second, third oreven further sessions with remote terminal equipment and must decideabout the routing of media types to other, i.e. updated, terminalequipment. To this end, the updated identification data are presented bythe mobile UE to the called user. After a suitable selection of thecalled user, for example new identification data inputted by the calleduser at a keypad of the mobile UE as updated media type handlinginstructions, the updated identification data for receiving the at leastone media type of the multimedia are processed by the IMS client of thecalled UE and forwarded to the IMS system for setting up a session withanother remote terminal based on the updated handling instructionsreceived at the mobile UE. In accordance with the invention this can bedone using suitable SIP signalling commands, such as UPDATE, for settingup a new session and terminating an existing session.

It is noted that updating identification data of remote terminalequipment may not only occur for moving mobile UE, but also for movingremote terminal equipment, for example a mobile screen mounted on a car.Not only the availability to the mobile UE should be updated but alsothe location data of such moving terminal equipment in a databasemaintaining identification data of terminal equipment in relation to thegeographic location thereof. Such a database update may occur, inaccordance with the invention, under control of and from the mobile UE.

The invention also provides mobile UE, comprising processing meansconnected to input means, output means and communication means, themobile UE is arranged for supporting calls in a radio access network andcommunication sessions in an IMS communication system, wherein theprocessing means are arranged for executing an IMS client supporting SIPsignalling for handling media types of a multimedia communicationsession, the IMS client is arranged for processing a SIP session set uprequest message received via the communication means. The IMS client isfurther arranged for:

-   -   initiating a presentation of media type handling options via the        output means, based on the SIP session set up request message        processed by the IMS client,    -   processing media type handling instructions received via the        input means, based on the media type handling options, and    -   initiating a transmission of a SIP session accept message via        the communication means by the IMS client in accordance with the        media type handling instructions.        In a further example of the mobile UE according to the        invention, the IMS client executed by the processing means is        further arranged for processing identification data of remote        terminal equipment and extending the SIP session accept message        with identification data of remote terminal equipment for        receiving at least one media type of the multimedia        communication session.

The identification data being received via at least one of:

-   -   input data provided via the input means of the mobile UE,    -   identification data stored in a database, received via the        communication means,    -   identification data received by the mobile UE from remote        terminal equipment via communication means available to the        mobile UE.

In another example of the invention, the mobile UE is arranged forsupporting communications in a short-range wireless transmissiontechnology for receiving identification data autonomously transmitted bythe remote terminal equipment or upon request of the mobile UE.

In a further aspect the invention provides an IMS node comprisingprocessing means connected to communication means, the IMS node isarranged for supporting multimedia communication sessions with mobile UEin a radio access network and SIP signalling for handling media types ina first multimedia communication session in an IMS communication system,wherein the processing means of the IMS node are arranged for initiatingan establishment of a second multimedia communication session withremote terminal equipment identified by identification data received viathe communication means in the first communication session, and arrangedfor initiating a forwarding, via the communication means, of at leastone media type of the first multimedia communication session to theremote terminal equipment. The processing means of the IMS node arearranged for initiating a forwarding via the communication means of theat least one media type to the remote terminal equipment based onhandling instructions received via the communication means of the IMSnode from the mobile UE.

In a further example, in accordance with the invention, the processingmeans of the IMS node are arranged for initiating a transmission, viathe communication means of the IMS node, to the mobile UE, ofidentification data of remote terminal equipment available to the mobileUE.

To this end, in another example of the invention, the processing meansof the IMS node may be arranged for initiating an establishment of amomentary geographic location of the mobile UE, and for initiating atransmission via the communication means of the identification data tothe mobile UE based on the geographic location of the mobile UE. Theprocessing means of the IMS node may be arranged for accessing, via thecommunication means, a database in or available to the IMS communicationsystem, comprising identification data of remote terminal equipment. Theprocessing means of the IMS node may be further arranged for updatingthe database by remote terminal equipment identification data receivedvia the communication means of the IMS node from the mobile UE.

The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of the inventionwill be best understood from the following description, with respect tothe enclosed drawings. In the drawings, like reference numerals denoteidentical parts or parts performing an identical or comparable functionor operation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of part of a communications environment forillustrating an example of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of part of a communications environment forillustrating another example of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of part of a communications environment forillustrating further examples of the present invention.

FIG. 4 schematically shows a typical prior art signalling scenario forsession establishment in an IMS communications system.

FIG. 5 schematically shows a signalling scenario in accordance with anexample of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

The present invention will be illustrated by way of example and not byway of limitation in a Radio Access Network (RAN), such as a GSM, GPRSor UMTS mobile radio communication network, wherein a call and a sessionin an IMS multimedia communication system are established for supportingthe handling of multimedia content to user equipment supported by theRAN and IMS.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 indicates an RAN, and reference numeral 2indicates an IMS communication platform comprising or constituted by anIMS node to support multimedia communication in the RAN 1. The IMSplatform 2 comprises processing means 21 which connect to communicationmeans 22 connecting to the public Internet 3 and/or any other datanetwork supporting Internet Protocol (IP) data exchange.

Reference numerals 4; 5 denote mobile UE, such as a mobile telephone orany other mobile communication device equipped for radio communication45; 55 with the RAN 1. The mobile UE 4; 5 each comprise an input unit orinput means 41; 51, such as a key pad, a touch screen and the like, anoutput unit or output means 42; 52, such as a display, and communicationmeans 44; 54 comprising transceiver means for wireless communicationwith the RAN 1, each connecting to processing means 43; 53 such as amicroprocessor. The processing means 43; 53 execute an IMS client 6; 7,respectively, for supporting SIP signalling and multimedia communicationwith the IMS platform 2.

Reference numerals 8, 9 denote remote terminal equipment connected tothe Internet 3, by respectively a wired 24 or wireless 23 transmissionlink, such as (public) screens or displays, audio equipment such as(stereo) loudspeakers, etc. The terminal equipment 8, 9 is arranged forexchange of multimedia content or, in short, media types, viaIP-protocol data transfer with the Internet 3 and the IMS platform 2.

For the sake of simplicity, just two UE 4, 5 have been shown in FIG. 2,connected by a radio link 45; 55 to the RAN 1. In practice, a pluralityof UE 4, 5 connects to the RAN 1 and a plurality of terminal equipment8, 9 may connect to the Internet 3. Each UE 4, 5 and terminal equipment8, 9 comprises identification data 20, such as a URL or an IP-address.

It is assumed that UE 4, also called the calling party, A-Party or UE-A,would like to send a multimedia type, such as video, to mobile UE 5,also called the called party, B-party or UE-B, via the respectivecommunication means 44; 54 and RAN 1, supported by the IMS platform 2.Although in this example the calling UE 4 is depicted as a mobileentity, connected to the RAN 1, UE 4 can also be a wired entity, such asa wired Voice over IP (VoIP) telephone or a Plain Old Telephone System(POTS) telephone, or any other suitable communication device equippedfor SIP signalling.

As schematically indicated in FIG. 4, for the exchange of the multimediacontent, a communication session supported by the IMS platform 2 has tobe established. In a first step, using SIP signalling, UE-A sends asession set-up request message, SIP INVITE, initiated by the IMS client6, inviting UE-B for setting up a session. This session set-up requestmessage is populated with SDP parameters, to describe the media type ortypes to be communicated, i.e. indicated as INVITE+SDP media (F1). TheSIP-INVITE comprises a request Universal Resource Indicator (URI) beingan indication of the delivery address for the multimedia content. TheSDP parameters, among others, may further comprise connectioninformation, including identification data of the IMS client 6 of a UE4, generally the IP-address of the IMS client of the UE, and others suchas capabilities of UE 4. Receipt of the session set-up request message(F1) is acknowledged by UE-B, i.e. the IMS client 7, by forwarding SIPmessage 180 Ringing (F2).

To accept the session request, the IMS client 7 of UE-B initiates atransmission of a SIP session accept message, SIP 200 OK, by which UE-Balso indicates how multimedia content can be forwarded by UE-A to UE-B.Generally, the URI address of UE-B will be indicated as the address fordelivering the multimedia content.

After transmission of an acknowledgement message (F4) SIP ACK from theIMS client 6 of UE-A via the IMS platform 2 to the IMS client 7 of UE-B,a communication session is established supported by the IMS platform 2for communication of one or several media types between UE-A and UE-B,i.e. indicated in FIG. 4 as ‘Both Way Media’.

To end an IMS session, for example by UE-B, a SIP BYE message (F5) isinitiated by IMS client 7 and forwarded via the communication means 54of UE-B, indicating that the session can be terminated. Receipt of thisSIP BYE message is acknowledged by UE-A by sending a message SIP 200 OK(F6) initiated by the IMS client 6. This terminates the exchange ofmultimedia content between UE-A and UE-B.

In accordance with an example of the present invention, in thesignalling scenario shown in FIG. 4, at receipt of the SIP sessionset-up request message F1, UE-B i.e. the output means 52 of the calledmobile UE 5, present media type handling options 57 (FIG. 1), based onthe SDP media parameters included in the session set-up request messageF1.

Suppose that the session set-up request message F1 indicates that UE-Awould like to send video content to UE-B. Than, the IMS client 7 of themobile UE 5 initiates a presentation at the output means 52 of themobile UE 5 of one or several media type handling options 57 forhandling the video content by the called user of the mobile UE 5 (i.e.UE-B).

An example of such media type handling options is:

1. Accept audio content, reject video content.

2. Accept audio and video content, use display of mobile UE although nooptimal fit.

3. Accept audio and video content, use nearby (public) screen X todisplay the video content.

4. Accept audio and video content, use display of mobile UE and use alsonearby (public) screen X to display the video content.

In this example, it is assumed that the media type handling options 57are displayed at the display means 52 of the mobile UE 5, which will bethe most common manner in practise. However, it is also possible toaudibly present the call handling options, for example. A screen X fordisplaying the video content is, for example, remote terminal equipment8, 9 in FIG. 1.

The called user or B-party now has to select a respective presented callhandling option, which selection is received as a media type handlinginstruction by the mobile UE 5, i.e. UE-B, for example by inputting theselected option via a User Interface (UI), i.e. via the input means 51,available at the mobile UE 5, such as a keypad, touch screen, voicerecognition unit, and the like. Schematically indicated by arrow 58.

The media type handling instructions 58 received by the mobile UE 5 aretransferred by the processing means 53, i.e. the IMS client 7, intosuitable SDP parameters by which the session accept message SIP 200 OKis extended and transmitted from UE-B 5, shown as SIP 200 OK+SDPinstructions (F3). This session accept message F3, for example, mayindicate that the audio type content is to be terminated at the outputmeans 52 of mobile UE 5 while the video type content is to be terminatedat a nearby screen or display, i.e. remote terminal equipment 8, 9 otherthan the display of mobile UE 5, i.e. option 3 above. Receipt of thesession accept message F3 by the IMS client 6 of UE-A 4 will resulttherein that, initiated by the IMS client 6, a further or secondcommunication session is set up, in the IMS platform or node 2, i.e. theprocessing means 21 thereof, with remote terminal equipment 8, 9 fordelivering the video content. This schematically indicated by arrow 19.

If the called user knows the identification data 20, such as a Uniformresource Locator (URL) of the remote terminal equipment to which thevideo content is to be directed, for examplehttp://screen9.public.com:5678, he or she may input these identificationdata 20 via the input means 51 into the mobile UE 5 directly at theselection of a particular call handling option 57. The thus providedidentification data will be put into the session accept message F3, andwill be used in the processing means 21 of the IMS 2 for setting up therequired session(s) and routing 19 of the video content to therespective remote terminal equipment 8, 9. The URL address of the remoteterminal equipment 8, 9 may be known, for example, because it isvisually displayed at or on the screen thereof.

The called user, i.e. UE-B, keeps control over the session or sessions,to stop the display at the remote terminal 8, 9, for example, which canbe provided by the standard SIP message UPDATE (F7), as indicated inFIG. 5.

If the identification data 20 of the remote terminal equipment 8, 9 isnot known to the called user, same may be provided to the called UE-Bwith the session setup message F1 or in a separate SIP INFORMATION (F8a), (F8 b) message, for example, shown in FIG. 5. The session setupmessage F1 is initialized towards UE-B 5 by a network entity such as theUE-A 4, an IMS node within the IMS platform 2 or a network serviceexecuted at the SIP-AS 10. The identification data may be retrieved froma database, DB, in or available to the IMS platform 2, such as database11 shown in FIG. 2.

In FIG. 2, a SIP-Application Server (SIP-AS) 10 is shown, connected tothe Internet 3, and arranged for providing service to IMS platform ornode 2. In this example, database 11 is arranged in SIP-AS 10. Note thatthe database may also reside in the UE 4, 5 or may be directly availableto a UE, for example via the RAN 1 or another communication technologyavailable to the UE, such as WLAN, Bluetooth, IR, or the like. Further,the SIP-AS 10 and the IMS platform or node 2 may be combined.

To avoid providing identification data 20 of remote terminal equipment8, 9 not relevant to the called mobile UE 5, because the called user hasno line of sight to a (public) screen or cannot hear a remote audiodevice, SIP-AS 10 is provided with a locator unit 12 for determining thegeographic location of the called user, i.e. mobile UE 5. Any suitablegeographic location determination means may be used, such as GPSposition signals 61 from a GPS satellite system 60, or other positioningsystem, GSM location, wireless communication beacons or the like. Thelocation may also be determined from input provided by a user via themobile UE 5, for example from a map displayed at the mobile UE or from apositioning unit in the mobile UE.

In the database 11, identification data 20 are arranged dependent ongeographic location information of the corresponding remote terminalequipment 8, 9. Only those identification data 20 are provided which areavailable to the called mobile UE 5 based on the determined locationinformation and provided that the remote terminal equipment 8, 9 is notseized by another session. To this end, status unit 14 in SIP-AS 10 isprovided, which keeps track of terminal equipment encountered in anongoing session. Further, terminal equipment to which the mobile UE mayhave no access to, from technical perspective, for example, or which donot meet the received call handling instructions, may also be excluded.To this end, a matching unit 13 is provided in the SIP-AS 10.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, identification data of remote terminalequipment 8, 9 may also directly received at the mobile UE, such asmobile UE 5, from the remote terminal equipment 8, 9 via any of anavailable short range (a few meters and up) wireless communicationtechnology, like WLAN, Bluetooth, IR, etc. The remote terminal equipment8, 9 may be arranged for autonomously transmission of theiridentification data 20, such as their URL, and other information via ashort range communication link 15, 16 in broadcast form, for example,and received by the radio communication means of the mobile UE 5, suchas a special short range radio communication unit or means 56 of themobile UE 5. However, identification data 20 may also be provided uponrequest of the mobile UE 5, as indicated by a request (R) message box17.

The thus received identification data may be exchanged with the SIP-AS10, via the UE 4, using SIP signalling, to update the database 11, forexample. To this end, the SIP UPDATE message (F7) shown in FIG. 5 may beused, populated with the appropriate SDP parameters.

SIP UPDATE (F7) and SIP INFORMATION (F8 a), (F8 b) can also be used forupdating the database 11 and informing the called mobile UE 5 and/or thecalling UE 4 when remote terminal equipment is moving out of theavailability of mobile UE 5, such as the mobile remote terminalequipment 9, or the other way around if the mobile UE 5 moves out of thereach of terminal equipment 8, 9 for example, by which content ishandled in connection with an ongoing session. This to provide for“handover” of content from terminal equipment. However, the decision toseize or occupy terminal equipment remains with the called user UE-B,who keeps control over the session with respect to the delivery orrouting of media type content.

IMS platform 2 and SIP-AS 10 may reside in one or several IMS supportingnodes or servers, such as termed S-CSCF, I-CSCF, P-CSCF (Call SessionControl Function) or an IMS gateway or other server.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments as disclosedabove, and can be modified and enhanced by those skilled in the artbeyond the scope of the present invention as disclosed in the appendedclaims without having to apply inventive skills.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method of handling media types of anInternet Protocol, IP, multimedia communication session in an IPMultimedia communication Subsystem, IMS, by calling User Equipment, UE,and called mobile UE comprising an IMS client supporting SessionInitiation Protocol, SIP, signalling, said IMS comprising an IMS nodehaving processing means connected to communication means for supportinga multimedia communications session in said IMS, and at least one remoteterminal equipment arranged for exchanging multimedia content via saidIMS, said method comprising steps of: receiving a SIP session set uprequest message, from said calling UE, by said called mobile UE forestablishing a first multimedia communication session in said IMS withsaid calling UE supported by said IMS node, and processing said receivedSIP session set up request message by said IMS client of said calledmobile UE, initiating, by said IMS client of said called mobile UE apresentation of media type handling options by said called mobile UEbased on said processed SIP session set up request message, receivingmedia type handling instructions by said called mobile UE based on saidpresented media type handling options, initiating, by said IMS client ofsaid called mobile UE, in response to said processed SIP session set uprequest message, a transmission of a SIP session accept message to saidcalling UE in accordance with said received media type handlinginstructions, initiating, by said IMS client of said calling UE a secondmultimedia communication session with one of the at least one remoteterminal equipment supported by said IMS node based on said SIP sessionaccept message, and forwarding, in said second multimedia communicationsession, by said IMS node to said one of the at least one remoteterminal equipment at least one media type of said first multimediacommunication session, wherein the one of the at least one remoteterminal equipment plays at least one of audio and video of the at leastone media type of the first multimedia communication session.
 2. Themethod according to claim 1, wherein said SIP session accept message isextended by said IMS client of said called UE with identification dataof the one of the at least one remote terminal equipment for receivingat least one media type of said first multimedia communication session.3. The method according to claim 2, wherein said IMS client of saidcalled UE processes identification data of said at least one remoteterminal equipment available to said called mobile UE.
 4. The methodaccording to claim 3, wherein said identification data are received bysaid called mobile UE from at least one of: input data provided at userinput means of said called mobile UE, identification data stored in adatabase, identification data received by said called mobile UE from atleast one of said at least one remote terminal equipment.
 5. The methodaccording to claim 4, wherein said database is a remote database andsaid identification data are received by said called mobile UE from saiddatabase in an extended SIP session set up request message.
 6. Themethod according to claim 4, wherein said identification data arereceived by said called mobile UE based on a momentary geographiclocation of said called mobile UE.
 7. The method according to claim 4,wherein said identification data are received by said called mobile UEfrom an autonomous transmission, by at least one of said at least oneremote terminal equipment or upon request of said called mobile UE. 8.The method according to claim 3, wherein said IMS client of said calledmobile UE, in an ongoing multimedia communication session, processesupdated identification data of said at least one remote terminalequipment available to said called mobile UE.
 9. The method according toclaim 8, wherein said updated identification data are received by saidcalled mobile UE while said called mobile UE is moving.
 10. The methodaccording to claim 8, wherein said updated identification data areprocessed by said called mobile UE in a SIP INFORMATION, or UPDATEmessage.
 11. The method according to claim 8, wherein said updatedidentification data are displayed by said called mobile UE, and whereinsaid IMS client of said called mobile UE initiates a transmission ofsaid updated identification data for receiving said at least one mediatype of said multimedia based on handling instructions received at saidcalled mobile UE.
 12. A Mobile User Equipment, UE, comprising amicroprocessor connected to an input unit, an output unit, and atransceiver, said mobile UE is arranged for supporting calls in a radioaccess network and communication sessions in an Internet Protocol, IP,Multimedia communication Subsystem, IMS, wherein the microprocessor isarranged for executing an IMS client supporting Session InitiationProtocol, SIP, signalling for handling media types of a multimediacommunication session, said IMS client is arranged for processing a SIPsession set up request message received from a calling User Equipment,UE, via said transceiver, to establish a first multimedia communicationssession in said IMS with said calling UE supported by said IMS node,wherein said IMS client is further arranged for: initiating apresentation of media type handling options via said output unit, basedon said SIP session set up request message processed by said IMS client,processing media type handling instructions received via said inputsunit, based on said media type handling options, and initiating atransmission of a SIP session accept message to said calling UE via saidtransceiver by said IMS client in response to said processed SIP sessionset up request message in accordance with said media type handlinginstructions, for exchanging at least one media type of said firstmultimedia communication session with one of at least one remoteterminal equipment supported by said IMS node based on said SIP sessionaccept message, wherein the one of the at least one remote terminalequipment plays at least one of audio and video of the at least onemedia type of the first multimedia communication session.
 13. The mobileUE according to claim 12, wherein said transceiver further comprises ashort range radio communication unit arranged for supportingcommunications in a short-range wireless transmission technology forreceiving identification data autonomously transmitted by said remoteterminal equipment or upon request of said mobile UE.
 14. A method ofhandling media types of an Internet Protocol (IP) multimediacommunication session in an IP Multimedia communication Subsystem (IMS)by a calling User Equipment (UE) and a called mobile UE each comprisingan IMS client supporting Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) signalling,said IMS comprising an IMS node for supporting a multimediacommunications session in said IMS, and at least one remote terminalequipment arranged for exchanging multimedia content via said IMS, saidmethod implemented by the calling UE comprising steps of: sending, bysaid calling UE, a SIP session set up request message to said calledmobile UE for establishing a first multimedia communication session insaid IMS by said IMS node; receiving, by said calling UE, a SIP sessionaccept message from said called mobile UE, wherein said SIP sessionaccept message containing media type handling instructions; andinitiating, by said calling UE, a second multimedia communicationsession with one of the at least one remote terminal equipment supportedby said IMS node based on said SIP session accept message, wherein atleast one media type of said first multimedia communication session isforwarded in said second multimedia communication session to said one ofthe at least one remote terminal equipment, and wherein the one of theat least one remote terminal equipment plays at least one of audio andvideo of the at least one media type of the first multimediacommunication session.
 15. A User Equipment (UE) comprising: aprocessor; and a memory that stores processor-executable instructionswhere the processor interfaces with the memory and executes theprocessor-executable instructions to enable following operations:sending a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) session set up requestmessage to a called mobile UE for establishing a first multimediacommunication session in an IP Multimedia communication Subsystem (IMS);receiving a SIP session accept message from said called mobile UE,wherein said SIP session accept message containing media type handlinginstructions; and initiating a second multimedia communication sessionwith a remote terminal equipment supported by said IMS node based onsaid SIP session accept message, wherein at least one media type of saidfirst multimedia communication session is forwarded in said secondmultimedia communication session to said remote terminal equipment, andwherein said remote terminal equipment plays at least one of audio andvideo of the at least one media type of the first multimediacommunication session.
 16. A method of handling media types of anInternet Protocol (IP) multimedia communication session in an IPMultimedia communication Subsystem (IMS) by a calling User Equipment(UE) and a called mobile UE each comprising an IMS client supportingSession Initiation Protocol (SIP) signalling, said IMS comprising an IMSnode for supporting a multimedia communications session in said IMS, andat least one remote terminal equipment arranged for exchangingmultimedia content via said IMS, said method implemented by the calledmobile UE comprising steps of: processing, by said called mobile UE, aSIP session set up request message received from the calling UE toestablish a first multimedia communications session in said IMS withsaid calling UE supported by said IMS node; initiating, by said calledmobile UE, a presentation of media type handling options based on saidSIP session set up request message; processing, by the called mobile UE,media type handling instructions based on said media type handlingoptions, and initiating, by the called mobile UE, a transmission of aSIP session accept message to said calling UE in response to saidprocessed SIP session set up request message in accordance with saidmedia type handling instructions, for exchanging at least one media typeof said first multimedia communication session so as to be received byone of at least one remote terminal equipment supported by said IMS nodebased on said SIP session accept message, wherein the one of the atleast one remote terminal equipment plays at least one of audio andvideo of the at least one media type of the first multimediacommunication session.
 17. The method according to claim 16, furthercomprising step of receiving, by the called mobile UE, identificationdata of said at least one remote terminal equipment available to saidcalled mobile UE.
 18. The method according to claim 17, wherein saididentification data received by said called mobile UE is based on amomentary geographic location of said called mobile UE.
 19. A mobileUser Equipment (UE) comprising: a processor; and a memory that storesprocessor-executable instructions where the processor interfaces withthe memory and executes the processor-executable instructions to enablefollowing operations: processing a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP)session set up request message received from a calling UE to establish afirst multimedia communications session in said IMS with said calling UEsupported by said IMS node; initiating a presentation of media typehandling options based on said SIP session set up request message;processing media type handling instructions based on said media typehandling options, and initiating a transmission of a SIP session acceptmessage to said calling UE in response to said processed SIP session setup request message in accordance with said media type handlinginstructions, for exchanging at least one media type of said firstmultimedia communication session so as to be received by one of at leastone remote terminal equipment supported by said IMS node based on saidSIP session accept message, wherein the one of the at least one remoteterminal equipment plays at least one of audio and video of the at leastone media type of the first multimedia communication session.
 20. Themobile UE according to claim 19, wherein the processor interfaces withthe memory and executes the processor-executable instructions to enablefollowing operation: receiving identification data of said at least oneremote terminal equipment available to said mobile UE.
 21. The mobile UEaccording to claim 20, wherein said identification data received by saidmobile UE is based on a momentary geographic location of said mobile UE.